Hello.

I am a new driver and I am thinking of buying a 2007 Octavia Tour. I have a family and being a new driver safety is my top priority. The car in question has ABS and ASR, but no ESP. I wasn't sure what ESP was, so I searched Wikipedia and found this page about ESC which it says is the same as ESP:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control

First of all, it says that in one study, one third of fatal accidents could have been prevented with it.

Secondly, it says that in the EU, cars without it cannot be sold after 2013.

After reading this, in my mind I now see any car without ESP as an unsellable death-trap. Obviously this is an over-reaction - but just how important is it? I am now starting to be under the impression that what Skoda calls ASR is actually a simple form of ESC, and what Skoda calls ESP is a full-blown version of ESC.

Any guidance or advice would be most appreciated!

Yes. ESP is Bosch's name for it

The EU thing is only a proposal and nothing is set in stone.

Since Wikipedia can be editited by anyone, I would take some of what is stated as a pinch of salt.

ASR is a basic form of traction control, whereas ESP is the full blown uncut version.

My 2009 Octavia has ASR only.

Thanks for the replies. The salesman was trying to tell me that whilst ESP is useful, it's not as good as all the hype i.e. I shouldn't worry about not having it. Is that good advice?

ESP is very good - but obviously depends on your climate (I know nothing about Czech Republic, other than some Skoda's were/are/might be made there )

Thanks for the replies. The salesman was trying to tell me that whilst ESP is useful, it's not as good as all the hype i.e. I shouldn't worry about not having it. Is that good advice?

I would say he's is about right.

ASR will basically cut the engine power should the drive wheels start to spin and also includes a system that will brake the front wheels to transfer power to the opposite wheel if it has grip.

ESP on the other hand can brake each wheel individually and tries to maintain stability of the car and not just stop wheel spin.

Don't worry about it... ASR is fine... you don't need ESP!

Phil

The EU thing is only a proposal and nothing is set in stone.

Since Wikipedia can be editited by anyone, I would take some of what is stated as a pinch of salt.

ASR is a basic form of traction control, whereas ESP is the full blown uncut version.

I wont argue on this point as I'm not 100% sure. However I was under the impression that this had passed all EU hurdles and was in fact coming into force. The quote I have is:

From November 1, 2011, all new car and light commercial vehicle models in the EU must be equipped with the anti-skid system ESP® (Electronic Stability Program). The corresponding EU regulation applies to all vehicles with type approvals issued after this date. ESP® will subsequently become compulsory in all new EU vehicles from October 31, 2014.

I could be wrong of course - have been on a number of occasions, but I thought this was the case with regards ESP.

As someone who is only still alive due to ESP I can assure you I would not place my loved ones in a car without it.

ESP only ever comes into use in extreme accident-about-to-happen circumstances.

It changes "Aaaargh", BANG. into "Aaaargh............Phew".

It is not traction control. It is not ABS.

With it you have a safety net in a situation we all hope never happens.

Without it you have only hope. You decide.

Without it you have only hope. You decide.

Or the ability to drive out of the situation yourself... or not even get into it in the first place.

I would much prefer to have a good ability of driving than to rely on an electronic aid...

Or the ability to drive out of the situation yourself... or not even get into it in the first place.

I would much prefer to have a good ability of driving than to rely on an electronic aid...

You are making the assumption that you have control over every driving situation that you end up in when that is not necessarily the case. Many collisions are caused by cars pulling out infront of other cars, pedestrians walking out into traffic and oil/diesel on the road. In these situations ESP can make the difference between skid steering round an object and colliding with it.

Good driving skills are essential but having driving aids to support them shouldn't be shunned.

Or the ability to drive out of the situation yourself... or not even get into it in the first place.

I would much prefer to have a good ability of driving than to rely on an electronic aid...

I would prefer to have both Phil.

Remember ESP does not enhance your driving ability.

It enhances the cars capability to do what you wish it to in an emergency.

Or the ability to drive out of the situation yourself... or not even get into it in the first place.

I would much prefer to have a good ability of driving than to rely on an electronic aid...

If you read the OP's post it tells you he is a new driver.

I would therefore say he would not yet have the skills or experience to recognise the subtleties of clues to these situations and as a result I would say that ESP is a good idea.

Better to have it and not need it rather than visa versa